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' UNITE PATENT OFFIGE.

JNO.'W. WHITTAL AND WM. w. rnnnnuron, or eRnnNW eH, norm lMPROVE-ZMENT TN FELT HATS.

- Specificationforming part of Letters Patent lilo. 1!.462, dated August 1, 1854.

Ourinveution and improvement consists in' the combination of gutta-peroha in sheets with manufactured felt cloth, so as to inclose the gutta-percha between two thicknesses of said lelt clotlu and afterward forming hats thereot by pressing the said materials into properlyshaped molds while the gutta-percha is in a plasticstate, whereby said felt cloth so formed is made to retain the shape thus given ,to it under all-conditions it shall be subjected to in ordinary wear.

We are aware that gu'tta-percha has been employed as a varnish for bats, but-such application is totally different from our use of it, the end accomplished by said use being also quite different. In the use referred to the body of the hat was' first fully formed at the- I their form in wet weather, no matter what kind of material is applied as a varnish. We mean bythe above such application as will allow the hats to have all the lightness and flexibility of those made in the ordinary way, as anything beyond that would destroy their merchantability, and of course the product would be useless. By our improvements we are enabled to produce from felt in sheets or in the form of cloth, when combined with gutta-percha, also in sheets, hats of superior quality as to use and at a great economy in cost over those manufactured a i'ter the old methods.

To make a hat according to our invention the following plan is pursued: In the first place, athin sheet of gutta percha ol' the proper size to form a hat is covered on both sides with the felt cloth, the cloth being made to adhere 'by softening the gutta-perchaiu a man,

ner well known. The felt-cloth and gutteperchathus combined are then softened. by

steaming or by hot water and laid upon the top of ahollow mold to form the crown; This mold may be eithera true cylinder or made oval.- It' made cylindrical, the hat will require subsequent shaping upon a hatters block with the aid of a warm iron. A flat board having a hole of the same diameter is laid on, and the pressiug bloclr may be brought down and forced in by the aid of a lover or other appropriate mechanical device. 7 By this means so much of the felt with the gntta-percha between is forced within the mold, the top boardmeanwhile keeping the rim down flat, and thus the crown is made. The block may now be taken. out, and the-hat will be fully formed .and set solid so soon, as the guttapercha is cold. All that is to he done then to finish the-hat is to put in the usnaltrimmiugs, bindings, &c. The hat will then be found capable of receiving the roughest possible usage without damage to its shape solong as it is never subjected to a greater degree of heat than 160 Fahrenheit, which it can never get on the head of any wearer. water-proof, verylight and flexible, easilyconforming to the shape'of the head, and be very pleasant to wear.

Whatwe claim as our improvement, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The formation of hats from felt cloth in sheets combined with gutta-percha, also in Such hats will be found completely. 

